Low-threshold neutron detection for proton-transfer reactions with VANDLE

ORAL

Abstract

Proton-transfer studies with radioactive beams are a useful tool for constraining astrophysical proton-capture rates and probing the single-particle structure of exotic nuclei. Measurements from (d,n) reactions on radioactive beams require an efficient large- area neutron detector array. The Versatile Array of Neutron Detectors at Low Energy (VANDLE) is being developed at ORNL for both (d,n) and beta-delayed neutron spectroscopy measurements. Digital electronics and optimized materials make VANDLE sensitive to neutron--proton scattering for neutrons above 100~keV, and also to elastically scattered carbon from neutrons above 1~MeV. This carbon sensitivity supplements the detection efficiency at those energies. Measured efficiencies from an $^{27}$Al(d,n) study at Ohio University and from a $^{252}$Cf source will be presented, along with plans and simulated responses for (d,n) measurements of astrophysicaly important proton-capture reactions.

*Supported in part by the U.S. DOE and NSF.

–

Authors

  • William Peters

    • Oak Ridge Associated Universities

  • R. Grzywacz

  • M. Madurga

  • S. Paulauskas

    • U. Tenn.

  • J.A. Cizewski

  • M.E. Howard

  • P.D. O'Malley

  • B. Manning

  • E. Merino

    • Rutgers

  • T.N. Massey

  • C. Brune

    • Ohio U.

  • F. Sarazin

  • S. Ilyuskin

  • D. Walter

    • Col. Sch. of Mines

  • J. Blackmon

    • Louisiana St. U.

  • D.W. Bardayan

    • Oak Ridge Nat. Lab

  • I. Spassova

  • C. Matei

    • O.R.A.U.